Lets talk bar tape

[Michael S]

Building up a gravel bike.

What is the latest on bar tape for gravel use?
Any recommendations?

Double wrap of the same tape? Mix silicone and cork? One layer of a "nicer" tape?

 

[cadenceblur]

One layer of decent thickness should do, IMO

[guidodg]

Best tape I have ever used has to be the Titan Racing silicone tape...amazing product which can be used over and over again, super grippy and does not need the sticky backing to adhere to the bars..

It has a smooth matt finish with no holes which can get full of grime and dust, easy to wipe clean and if you remove it it can be reused since it does not tear or deform easily....

[Mike Dewing]

9 minutes ago, guidodg said:

Best tape I have ever used has to be the Titan Racing silicone tape...amazing product which can be used over and over again, super grippy and does not need the sticky backing to adhere to the bars..

It has a smooth matt finish with no holes which can get full of grime and dust, easy to wipe clean and if you remove it it can be reused since it does not tear or deform easily....

I feel what you’ve described should be the standard for gravel. 🤔

[cadenceblur]

This is what I have , pretty close to what was described, unfortunately cannot recall the brand, but i think I got it at an online shop I did from an international store. 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Michael S said:

Building up a gravel bike.

What is the latest on bar tape for gravel use?
Any recommendations?

Double wrap of the same tape? Mix silicone and cork? One layer of a "nicer" tape?

 

 

The winner of last years half-36one use two layers of tape.  He swears by this to dampen vibrations.

 

Sorry, not sure which brand.

[Zebra]

@Buff_CT

[Sid the Sloth]

On 5/2/2025 at 5:10 PM, Michael S said:

Building up a gravel bike.

What is the latest on bar tape for gravel use?
Any recommendations?

Double wrap of the same tape? Mix silicone and cork? One layer of a "nicer" tape?

 

Supacaz Sauve SL is the best I’ve experienced

[no calves]

55 minutes ago, Sid the Sloth said:

Supacaz Sauve SL is the best I’ve experienced

Love mine. Just hard to justify paying it again. Went for a bike fit at Spez and they even said to look at the rider bar tape for the next round.

 

I do agree the tacky feel of the supacaz and the Lizard skins are 2nd to none. But iff i can get that feeling for cheaper that would be great

[Jbr]

I got 15k out of the road and gravel suppacaz on each of my bikes, and it’s still looking new on the road bike, on the gravel bike there’s a couple of marks on the upper part following the tumble I took at SA gravel champs, the spot has probably weakened because of the countless hours spent on this bike in winter with gloves on.
Couldn’t care less about bar tape I just ride whatever the bike came with, but must say if you’re changing bar tape every 3 months maybe you should look at putting a bit more coin and get something a bit more durable.

I had Fabric on my old bike, it was nice but not as durable.

[Bro Derek]

For a gravel bike I have always wondered if one could slide on multiple silicone mtb grips 
 

Have the shifter mounting sticking out between 2 grips pushed up against each other and just clamp the shifter onto the grip.

 

I may try this just because

I slid a set over my bar tape on the drops a good while ago and it really made things comfortable

[ChrisF]

10 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

For a gravel bike I have always wondered if one could slide on multiple silicone mtb grips 
 

Have the shifter mounting sticking out between 2 grips pushed up against each other and just clamp the shifter onto the grip.

 

I may try this just because

I slid a set over my bar tape on the drops a good while ago and it really made things comfortable

 

I have done this on my hardtail.

 

It is very easy to do.

 

However, I never felt comfortable riding this way. Bear in mind your fingers are under cables, so a bit of a lag if you need to get to your brakes quickly ....

 

For some long rides this may be less of an issue.

[Bro Derek]

3 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

I have done this on my hardtail.

 

It is very easy to do.

 

However, I never felt comfortable riding this way. Bear in mind your fingers are under cables, so a bit of a lag if you need to get to your brakes quickly ....

 

For some long rides this may be less of an issue.

I'm not understanding why your hands would be under cables and why it would be more difficult to get to your brakes

 

You are just using silicone grips instead of bar tape. 

Surely the cables would be under the grips?

Does your hard tail have drop bars with silicone grips on? Or are you saying you just slid multiple grips onto a flat bar?

 

[ChrisF]

3 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

I'm not understanding why your hands would be under cables and why it would be more difficult to get to your brakes

 

You are just using silicone grips instead of bar tape. 

Surely the cables would be under the grips?

Does your hard tail have drop bars with silicone grips on? Or are you saying you just slid multiple grips onto a flat bar?

 

 

Okay, just be sure ....

 

1. Two sets of grips ON TOP of each other ?

 

2. A set of grips slipped in deep, then brakes and gears, then the outer set of grips ?

 

I thought you described option 2.  Nice for a different hand position, even nice and aero .... but this is when you get the cables passing over the inner grips.

 

 

 

Option 1 .... two sets of grips on top of each other .... not sure if the grips can stretch as much.  I do know Mark used bar tape over ESI grips for long rides.

[Bro Derek]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

Okay, just be sure ....

 

1. Two sets of grips ON TOP of each other ?

 

2. A set of grips slipped in deep, then brakes and gears, then the outer set of grips ?

 

I thought you described option 2.  Nice for a different hand position, even nice and aero .... but this is when you get the cables passing over the inner grips.

 

 

 

Option 1 .... two sets of grips on top of each other .... not sure if the grips can stretch as much.  I do know Mark used bar tape over ESI grips for long rides.

Aren't we talking about drop bars/bar tape on drop bars?

I though I was clear that I said to slide on multiple silicone grips on the drop bars instead of bar tape

[ChrisF]

Aaah, okay.

 

That might be an interesting project ...